Benjamin a



(No Model.)

B. A. DENNIS.

CHECK REIN HOOK. N 341,561. A v Patented Ma -11, 1886.

FlE l- WITNESSES, INVENTUR.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN A. DENNIS, OF PAWTUGKET, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO EUGENE B. (JROOKER, OF SAME PLACE.

CHECKY-REIN HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 341,561, dated May 11, 1886.

Application filed March 17, 1884. Serial No. 124,565. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it knownthat I, BENJAMIN A. DENNIs, of Pawtucket, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Check-Rein Hooks; and I do hereb declare that the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same, is a description thereof.

This invention relates to that member of the saddle of a harness known as a check-rein hook or water-hook, and the improvement consists in certain features of construction, as hereinafter set forth.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 represents in perspective a portion of a saddle provided with my improved hook. Fig. 2 shows a side view and partial section of the hook detached.

As shown in the drawings, the hook A. has the general form of those in common use, although it may be of any preferred shape. To its free end a is pivoted a finger, B, and within the finger is located a flat spring, 0. The end a of the hook is made cam shape, its face a being flat and substantially at right angles to the under side, a of the hook end. The spring 0 bears against the face a when the finger is in position to prevent the escape of the checkrein, and locks the finger in such position, as shown by full lines. hen the finger is turned to the position shown by dotted lines, to allow the rein,to be inserted or withdrawn, thespring bears upon the side a and locks the finger in the latter position.

To guard against the finger being moved by any back-pressure of the check-rein, it is preferably provided with a shoulder, b, Fig. 2, which engages the upper side of the hook, and prevents the finger from being swung in but one direction from the position shown in full lines, and that inwardly toward the bend of the hook.

To facilitate the turning of the finger from one position to the other, it is preferably provided with a thumb-piece, b, which extends above or beyond the hook end a.

In order that the lower end of the finger shall not project beyond the under side of the hook when the finger is turned to the position shown by dotted lines, and thereby furnish a shoulder to obstruct the withdrawal of the rein, the surface a" is depressed, as shown in both figures, although this feature of construction may be omitted, if desired.

As shown in Fig. 1, the lower end of the finger is at a little distance from the saddle when in position to prevent the escape of the rein; but the finger may be extended, or the hook may be bent to bring the finger end as close to the saddle as desired.

\Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is

1. The improved check-rein hook herein described, consisting of the hook A, having a,

cam-shape end, at, and the finger B, pivoted to said end of the hook, and having a spring, 0, located therein and engaging the cam-shape end of the hook, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The combination of the book A, having a cam-shape end, a, and the finger B, pivoted thereto, and having a spring, 0, engaging said v end, and provided with astop-shoulder, b, and a thumb-piece, b, substantially as set forth.

BENJAMIN A. DENNIs.

\Vitnesses:

ED'soN SALIsEUEY J oNEs, HENRY J. STArELToN. 

